System and apparatus for controlling illuminating devices



9 A. A. FLICK, JR., E'IAL 2,361,017

SYSTEM ANDAPPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ILLUMINATING DEVICES Filed May 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l their" Oct. 24, 1944. A, FLICK, JR., EIAL 2,361,017

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ILLUMINATING DEVICES Filed-May 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 24, 1944.- A Er L 2,361,017

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ILLUMINATING DEVICES File d May 14, 1941 :5 sheets-sheet s Jr artz'mbfi pad Patented Oct. 24, 1944 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS F OR CONTROL- LING ILLUMINATING DEVICES- Augustlne A. Flick, Jr., Glenvlew, and Martin B.

Grout, Chicago, Ill., asslgnors to Jefferson Electrlc Company, Bellwood, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 14, 1941, Serial No; 393,388

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a system and apparatus for controlling illuminating devices and more particularly to a system and apparatus for controlling the starting and operation of gas discharge illuminating devices having hot cathodes.

Illuminating units including hot cathode discharge tubes, such as fluorescent lamps, are usually made to include one or a pair of such fluorescent lamps or multiples thereof. The characteristics of the fluorescent lamps are such that to prolong tube life the hot cathodes or filaments should be heated for a short period of time before the gas discharge within the tube is commenced. The proper or preferred time for heating the cathodes of the tubes is short, as for example a few seconds, while the operating time of the tube is indeterminate. While the characteristics of the tubes have been lcnown and various electrical and thermostatic devices have been devised automatically to control the starting and operation of such hot cathode discharge tubes, the currents utilized necessarily make such automatic control devices very delicate and consequently expensive and not particularly dependable in operation.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a system for controlling the starting and operation of hot cathode gas discharge lamps which includes a manually actuated and controlled switching device for ellfecting control of the timing and operation of cathode heating and operation of such lamps.

Another object of this invention is to provide a system for controlling the starting and operation of hot cathode gas discharge lamps which includes a manually operable and controlled timing means for controlling the timing of cathode heating and operation of such lamps by the inclusion of suitably proportioned cam elements in the timing means.

Another object or this invention is to provide a system adapted to the manual control of the starting and operation of one or a pair of hot cathode gas discharge lamps or multiples of those numbers of lamps.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manually controlled switch having a plurality of contacts and cam elements for actuating the contacts in response to manual movement of an actuating member for controlling the starting and operation of a hot cathode gas discharge lamp.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manually controlled switch having a plurality of sets of contacts and cam means actuated by a manually actuated operating member for simultaneously controlling the starting and operation of a plurality of hot cathode gas discharge slamps.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are schematic circuit diagrams which are illustrative of the systems adapted to the control or one or more hot cathode type gas discharge tubes through the use of the control apparatus disclosed herein;

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively back and front views of the preferred form of switch adapted to the control of a single hot cathode type gas discharge tube, with the covers removed to show the internal structure thereof;

Figures 6 and 7 are respectively sectional views of the switch shown in Figures 4 and 5 with the switch covers in place and the sections taken substantially on the lines 6-8 of Figure 4 and 'I-l of Figure 6, looking in the direction'of the arrows in each instance:

Figures 8 and 9 are fragmentary or diagrammatic views illustrating diiferent operating positions of the switch contacts shown in Figure 4;

Figures 10 and 11 are fragmentary or diagrammatic views showing different operating positions of the contacts shown in Figure 5, said positions shown in Figures 10 and 11 corresponding respectively to those shown in Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view which illustrates a preferred operating cycle of the switch shown in Figures 4 to 7 inclusive;

Figures 13 and 14 are sectional views of a preferred type of switch adapted to the control of a plurality of hot cathode type gas discharge tubes; Figure 13 being a side sectional view and the section of Figure 14 being taken substantially on a line I 4- of Figure 13 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the switch shown in Figures 13 and 14;

Figures 16, 17 and 18 are corresponding views of the internal structure of the switch shown in Figures 13 and 14 at the positions indicated respectively by the lines lB-IS, ll-il and l8-l8 of Figure 13 when viewed in the directions indicated by the arrows:

Figures 19 and 20 are perspective views of in- Figure 21 is a perspective view of a part of the switch shown in Figures 13 and 14.

Referring to Figure 1, a hot cathode type gas discharge tube 22 such as the type known as fluorescent lamps has filament type cathodes 22 1 and 24. One side oi the cathode 22 is connected to a contact 28 of a switch 28, and one side of the cathode 24 is connected to a contact 21 of the switch 28, which contacts 28 and 21 are in alignment for engagement and normally open. A condenser 28 is connected across the switch contacts 28 and 21 to provide a by-pass for high frequency currents. The other side of the oathode 22 is connected to a contact 28 of the switch 28 through an iron core choke coil or reactor 88. The other side of the cathode 24 is connected to a power supply line lead 22, and another power supply line lead 82 is connected to a contact 24 of the switch 28 which is in alignment for engagement with the contact 28. Both of the sets of contacts, 28 and 21, and 28 and 84 are preferably actuated by a, common actuating means which will be more fully described in connection with this invention.

In the operation of the circuit shown in Figure 1, both or the sets of contacts oi the switch 28 are closed at the same time or the contacts 28 and 21 are-closed slightly prior to the closing of the contacts 28 and 24. This closes a cathode heating circuit from the powersuppiy line leads 22 and 22 through the choke coil or reactor 28, through both sets of contacts of the switch 28 and through the two cathodes which are connected in series through the contacts 28 and 21. This cathode heating circuit remains closed for a short interval of time, such as a few seconds, to eiiect the heating of the cathodes before normal operation of the gas discharge tube and dis-' charge therein are commenced. By a continued operation of the switch 28, the contacts 28 and 21 are opened to break the series connection between the cathodes 22 and 24. This leaves the cathodes 22 and 24 connected across the power supply line leads 22 and 22 through the choke coil or reactor 28 and the contacts 28 and 24. The application of this potential across the oathodes eflects a breakdown or gas discharge within the gas discharge tube 22, and'the commencement of the normal operation thereof. The choke coil or reactor 28 limits the current flow through the gas discharge tube. Operation of the gas discharge tube is stopped by the opening of the contacts 28 and 24, after which the normal operation' of the-gas discharge tube is restarted by repetition of the described cycle of operation.

The circuit shown in Figure 2 is adapted to the series operation of two gas discharge tubes 88 and 28 which are each designed to function properly at approximately half of the potential of the power supply line. The gas discharge tube 88 has filament type cathodes 21 and 28, and the gas discharge .tube 28 has filament type 48 and 41 to provide a high frequency by-pass across the contacts. The other side of the cathode 48 is connected to a contact 48 of the switch 42 through an iron core choke coil or reactor 88. The contact 48 is in alignment for engagement with a, contact 82 which is connected to a power supply linelead 83. Another power supply line lead 84 is connected to one side of the cathode 28. All of the contacts of the switch 48 are preferably actuated by a single manually operable actuating member, as will be more fully described. Also, the contacts all close simultaneously or the contacts 42 and 44 and the contacts 48 and 41 close slightly prior to the closing of the contacts 48 and 82. I

' In the operation of the circuit of Figure 2, the closing oi all of the contacts of the switch 48 closes a starting or cathode heating circuit for the gas discharge tubes by connecting all of the oathodes of the gas discharge tubes in series acrossthe power supply line leads 82 and 84 through the choke coil or reactor 88. All of the contacts of the switch 42 remain closed for only a short interval of time duringwhich the cathodes are heated.

The contacts 42 and 44 and the contacts 48 and 41 are opened at substantially the same time to break the series circuits between the cathodes 21 and 28 and the cathodes 28 and 48, respectively. Upon the breaking of these series circuits between the cathodes without opening the contacts 48 and 82, the potential from the power supply line leads 82 and 84 is supplied across the cathodes of the gas discharge tubes 28 and 88 in series. That is, when the gas discharge tubes 88 and 28 are connected in series across the power supply line leads 82 and 84, the line potential v eifects a breakdown or discharge within the gas discharge tubes, and the choke coil or reactor 88 limits the current flow through the gas discharge tubes following the commencement of discharge. Operation of the gas discharge tubes is stopped by the operation of the switch 42 to open the contacts 48 and 82.

The circuit shown in Figure 3'is adapted to the parallel operation of gas discharge tubes 88 and 88. The gas discharge tube 88 has filament type cathodes 81 and 88 and the gas discharge tube 88 has filament type cathodes 88 and 88. One side or the cathode 81 is connected to a contact a: or

cathodes 28 and 48. One side of the cathode is connected to one side of the cathode 28 of the gas discharge tube 28.. The other side of the cathode 28 is connected to a contact 48 of the switch 42, whichcontact is in alignment for engagement with a contact 41. The contact 41 is connected to one side of the cathode 48. A condenser 48 is connected across the contacts a switch 82 which is in alignment for engagement with a contact 84 of the switch. One side of the cathode 88 is connected to the contact 84 through a starting compensator which comprises an iron core choke coil or reactor 88 having a condenser 88 connected in parallel therewith. A condenser 81 is connected across the contacts 82 and 84. One side oi the cathode 88 of the gas discharge tube 88 is connected to a contact 88 0! the switch 82 which is in alignment for engagement with a contact 88 of the switch. One side of the cathode 88 is connected to the contact 88. A condenser 18 is connected across the contacts 88 and 88. The other side of the cathode 81 is connected to a secondary or output terminal of an auto transformer 12 through a condenser 18 and an iron core choke coil or reactor 14,: which condenser and choke coil or reactor are connected in series. A resistor 18 which has a high resistance value is preferably connected across the condenser 12 to serve as a bleeder which discharges the condenser 12 when the circuit is not in operation. The other side of the cathode 88 is connected to the secondary or output terminal of the auto transformer 12 through an iron core choke coil or reactor 18-. A power supply line a to start the gas discharge within the tubes.

lead 11 is connected to one side of each of the cathodes 58 and 88 and to the common input and output terminal of the auto transformer I2. A power supply line lead I8 is connected to a contact I8 of the switch 83 which is in alignment for engagement with a contact 88 of the switch. The contact 88 is connected to an input terminal of the auto transformer I2. The auto transformer I2 is disclosed herein and is utilized where the potential between the power supply line leads II and I8 is different than that required for proper operation of the gas discharge tubes 55 and 56. If the potential provided across the power supply line leads is within the operating potential limits for the gas discharge tubes, the circuit is similar, except that the transformer I2 is omitted and the contact 88 is connected directly to the choke coils or reactors I4 and I8.

In the operation of the circuit shown in Figure 3, the contacts of the switch 83 all close at the same time or the contacts 62 and 84 and the contacts 88 and 58 close slightly before the contacts I8 and'88. When all of the contacts are closed, the cathodes 58 and 88 of the gas discharge tube 55 are connected in series across the output terminals of the auto transformer I2 through the choke coil or reactor I6; and the cathodes 51 and '58 of the gas discharge tube 58 are connected in series through the starting compensator which comprises the choke coil 85 and condenser 86 and across the output terminals of the auto transformer I2 through the condenser I3 and choke coil 14. The contacts 82 and 54 and the contacts 68 and 88 remain closed for only a short period of time to eifect preliminary heating of the oathodes. When these contacts open, the series con-- nection of the cathodes of each of the gas discharge tubes is broken and the potential from the output terminals of the auto transformer 12 is applied across the cathodes of each of the tubes The condenser I3 preferably has a capacitive reactance which is greater than the inductive reactance of the choke coil 14,,thusproviding a normal preponderance of capacitive reactance in the operating circuit of the gas discharge tube 55. The preponderance of capacitive reactance in the circuit of the gas discharge tube 58 and the inductive reactance provided by the choke coil I8 in the circuit of the gas=discharge tube 55 dephases the light pulses of the gas discharge tubes and improves the power factor of the combination. The choke coil 55 adds inductive reactance to the series circuit between the cathodes 51 and 58 to increase the cathode heating current by an amount such that the cathodes of the two tubes become heated in substantially the same time interval. The condenser 85 which is connected across the choke coil 85 is a small high frequency by-pass condenser.

Figures 4 to 11 inclusive disclose a preferred form of switch adapted to the control of a single gas discharge tube of the hot cathode type in a circuit such'as that disclosed in Figure 1. In referring to Figures 4 to 11 inclusive, reference numerals similar to those previously used refer to like parts. The switch 28 has a body 82 of insulating material which is preferably molded phenol fiber having a central opening 83 therethrough for the accommodation of a switch actuating shaft 84. The insulating body 82 has recesses 85 and 88 at one end thereof and on opposite sides of the shaft 84 in which the resilient supporting elements 81 and 88 of the contacts 21 and 28 respectively are mounted. Recesses 88 and 88 are provided in the other end of the body 82 on opposite sidesof the shaft 84 in which resilient supporting elements 32 and of the contacts 36 and 25 respectively are mounted. A partition 84 between the recesses and 88 has a substantially circular recess 85 therein in which a cam 86 is mounted for rotation with the shaft 84. A partition 81 between the recesses 88 and 88 has a substantially circular recess 88 therein in which a cam 88 is mounted for rotation with the shaft 84. Partitions I88 and I82 separate the recesses 85 and 88 and the recesses 88 and 88 respectively and have openings I88 and I84 therein through which angularly extending portions I85 and I86 of the resilient supporting elements 81 and 82 extend to positions such that the contacts 25 and 21 and the contacts 28 and 34 are in alignment for engagement.

Flanges I81 and I88 on the ends of the body 25 are provided to locate insulating end covers I88 and H8 and cover plates H2 and H3, which insulating covers and end plates are held in position by rivets H4 and H5 or other suitable fastening means which extend through the insulating covers, end plates and body. A hollow stud I I8 having a threaded outer surface is secured to the end cover I I3 preferably by an end I H which extends through a. central opening H8 in the cover H3 and is riveted or rolled over. The hollow stud II8 provides a bearing II8 for the shaft 84 and accommodates nuts I28 and I22 for securing the switch to a mounting support such as that indicated at I28 in Figures 6 and '1. A knob I24 is threaded onto a projecting end of the shaft 84 adjacent the stud IIB for manually rotating the shaft to operate the switch.

The cam 85 has an arcuate surface I25 which preferably covers approximately 270 degrees and has a notched or recessed portion I28 which preferably covers approximately 90 degrees or the remainder of the completed cam surface. Surfaces or shoulders I21 and I28 at the ends of the notched or recessed portions preferably extend radially to provide abrupt or sharp terminating surfaces for the notched or recessed portion. A pawl or camming surface I28 is preferably integral with the contact 29 and cooperates with the cam 86 as it is rotated in its normal direction, as indicated by the arrow, to close the contacts 28 and 34 when in engagement with the arcuate surface I25 of the cam and open the contacts 28 and 34 when in the notched or recessed portion I26 of the cam. The pawl or oamming surface I28 is preferably abruptly terminated to engage the shoulder I28 and thereby prevent reverse rotation of the cams from the position of their engagement. The cam 86 effects closure of the contacts 28 and 34 during approximately 2'70 degrees of the rotation of the shaft 84 and cam; the contacts being open during the remainder of the complete cycle of rotation.

The cam 88 has an arcuate surface I38 which preferably extends for approximately degrees and a notched or recessed portion I82 which extends for the remainder of the complete surface. As in the case of the cam 85, the arcuate surface I38 is preferably abruptly terminated by radially extending surfaces or shoulders I33 and I34. A pawl or camming surface I35 is preferably integral with the contact I 25 and cooperates with the cam 88 to hold the contacts 25 and 21 closed during the engagement thereof with the cam surface I38. In the switch disclosed, the cam 98 holds the contacts 25 and 21 closed during approximately 180 degrees of the rotation of the shaft 84 and those contacts are open during the remainder oi" the complete cycle of rotation of the shaft.

Figures 8 and 9 show diflerent operating positions of the cam 86 and contacts 2! and 34; while Figures and 11 show diii'erent operating positions of the cam 99 and contacts 25 and 21. Reierring to Figure 12, as well as to Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, Figures 9 and 11 show corresponding positions of the cams N and 1! respectively when they iirst close their respective contacts to close both the line and series cathode heating circuits, as described with respect to Figure 1. As the reasonably uniform rotation of the shaft I4 is produced by manual rotation or the knob I, the cathode heating or filament contacts 28 and 21 remain closed during approximately 180 degrees oi the shaft rotation. at the end of which the pawl Ill clicks into the recessed portion In of the cam is to open the cathode heating circult through the contacts 2' and 11. The line circuit contacts remain closed during approximately 180 degrees or the shait rotation, at the end 0! which the pawl I85 clicks into the recessed portion 112 of the cam It to open the cathode heating circuit through the contacts 2! and 21. The line circuit contacts remain closed during the next 90 degrees oi the rotation of the shaft. However, the click provided by the opening or the contacts 25 and 21 provides a signal indicating the stopping position tor the switch to leave the gas discharge tube lamp connected ior normal operation. When the lamp is to be turned 01!, continued rotation of the shaft in the same direction lets the pawl I28 snap into the recessedportion ill oi the cam 96 to open the contacts 2! and 84. The click provided by the snap opening 0! the contacts 2! and 34 provides a signal for indication that the switch is in the "oil" position. The "oi!" position preferably covers apprcximate ly 90 degrees of the rotation 01 the shaft.

Referring to Figures to 21 inclusive, reference numerals similar to those previously used refer to like parts which perform similar functions. The switch 28 which is shown in Figures 4 to 7 inclusive and was previously described, except for the insulating end cover I08 and cover plate H2 is incorporated as a'section o! the switchshown in Figures 13 to 21 inclusive. The switch body 82, earns 06 and 58, the contacts 2!, 21, I9 and I4 and the switch actuating structure are the same, except that the shaft 84 of the switch shown in Figures 13 and 14 is longer and projects into an additional switch section I38 which is added to the end of switch a. The switch section I" includes an insulating body I81 which preferably has the same outer contour as the in sulating body 82 and has a recessed end portion in which fits together with the flange ll'l on the body 0!. The shaft N extends thro ah a central opening III in the body "I and tits into a cam I" which is rotatably supported in. a recess I41 in the switch body. accesses I and I are provided in the body I on opposite sides or the cam I and a central partition I in which contact elements I and I" are mounted. The body I" also has an end flange I (or it eating an insulating cover I" and an end cover I".

The contacts I and I" correspond to the contacts 4! and 41 of Figure 2 or the contacts 08 and I of Figure 3. In the structure. the contact element I has an end portion In anchored in the recess I. and angularly nroiecting Portion "8 extending across to the recess I and a 76 resilient contact carrying portion IN. The contact element ill has a base portion I58 anchored in the recess I and a resilient contact carrying portion iii. The resilient contact carrying portions in and 1 56 have contacts I" and [88 respectively secured thereto in alignment for engagement and normally biased apart. The resilient contact carrying portion I has a pawl or cam'eiement In which is preferably integral therewith and is adapted to cooperate with the cam I to effect the engagement of the contacts I51 and in. A block of insulating material. shown in Figure 21, fits between the angularly projecting portion 183 of the contact element I and the contact element I" to maintain the separation or those contact elements.

The cam M0 is preferably similar to the cam II and eirects engagement and disengagement of the contacts I81 and Ill at the same time as the contacts 25 and 21 engage and disengage. Figures 16, 17 and 18 show corresponding relative positions of the cams 88, II and I40 at one point of the switch operating cycle. The parts of the switch shown in Figures 18 and 14 are held in assembled relation by rivets I" and I" or other suitable fastening means.

In the switch illustrated in Figures 4 to '1 inelusive and also in the switch illustrated in Figures 13 to 18 inclusive, connections are made to the line circuit control contacts 18 and 84 which are actuated by a cam l6 through leads it and I85. The circuit connections to the starting circuit control contacts 25 and 21 are made through leads I86 and I81. The circuit connections for the starting circuit control contacts I" and I58 oi the switch shown in Figures 13 to 18 are made through leads iii and I".

To accomplish the operation of the switch described with respect to Figures 1, 2 and 8, it is understood that the cam proportions may be varied somewhat without preventing proper operation of the gas discharge tube lamp. As a matter oi fact, the cam proportions should be such that for average manual rotation of the switch knob, the proper heating time for the cathodes is provided and a particular or critical position for normal lamp operation is avoided.

While the embodiment oi the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred iorm. it is to be understood that other forms might b adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What. is claimed is:

1. In a system and apparatus for controllim'. the starting and operation of an illuminating device havin a power supply line, a gas discharge illuminating device having hot cathodes. and a choke coil, the combination of a switch having a, set 01' line circuit control contacts and a set of starting circuit control contacts, said choke coil being connected in series with andbetween one side of the power supp y line and one or the cathodes, the other cathode being connected to the other side of the power suppLv line. the line circuit control contacts being connected in series with one side'oi the power supply line, the starting circuit control contacts being connected in series with and between the cathodes to provide a series connection of the cathodes across the power supply line when they are closed. and a manually rotatable shalt having cams mounted thereon to be driven thereby, each of said cams being adapted to elect closing and opening 0! its corresponding set of contacts upon rotation of the shaft, the contours and relative positions of said cams being such that during one revolution of the shaft both sets of contacts are closed at substantially the same time and remain closed for approximately half of a revolution of the shaft, the line circuit contacts remain closed and the starting circuit contacts are opened and remain opened during approximately aso norr' contacts normally biased to the open position for controlling the starting and operation of the illuminating device, said switch including a manualLv rotatable shaft having cams mounted thereon adjacent each of the sets of contacts for controlling the closing and opening of the contacts as the shaft is rotated, said cams being positioned and shaped to eifect closure of both of the sets of contacts at substantially the same time, one of said cams holding one of the sets of contacts closed during approximately 180-deagrees of the shaft rotation, and the other of said I cams holding the other of the sets of'contacts closed during approximately 2'70 degrees of the shaft rotation. AUGUSTINE A. FLICK, Ja. MARTIN B. GROUT. 

